Most Gamers Cool with Same-Sex Themes

Subject: Most Gamers Cool with Same-Sex Themes Wed 16 May 2012, 1:15 am

http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/15/most-gamers-cool-with-same-sex-themes

Seven out of ten gamers are comfortable with same-sex relationships in games, according to a new survey of IGN readers.

When asked if the controversial theme of same-sex relationships has a place in games, 69% of respondents to a recent IGN survey said either ‘absolutely’ or 'why not’ Only 9% said that same-sex relationships should “never” be in games.

Age and geography are big factors with this issue. 19% of people over 65 said ‘never’; against 6% of 21-34s. Only 2% of Swedes are dead against same-sex relationships in games, against 10% in the U.S. 29% of people living in the Philippines and 37% of respondents from Indonesia said "never" while European countries polled at around 5%.

Game developers are increasingly willing to feature same-sex relationships within games, usually as a personal player- option in role-playing titles. Recent games featuring same-sex relationships have faced controversy, including BioWare's Mass Effect 3 and Star Wars: The Old Republic:

EA is the target of an anti-gay letter-writing campaign.

The company has received "several thousand" letters objecting to its inclusion of same-sex relationships in recent games.

According to report in GamesIndustry International, the letters have been sent to a cross-section of senior leaders at EA, often carrying a threat to boycott EA games unless it changes its policy.

The company says it will continue to include LGBT characters in its games, as options. EA's chief spokesperson Jeff Brown said, "Every one of EA's games includes ESRB content descriptors so it's hard to believe anyone is surprised by the content. This isn't about protecting children, it's about political harassment."

Recent EA games like Mass Effect 3 and Star Wars: The Old Republic have included options for characters to engage in same-sex as well as heterosexual relationships.

Many of the letters come from Florida, base of the Florida Family Association, which recently posted a call to action against SW:TOR's LGBT content, and which claims that "extremists" forced EA to include the content.

Brown added, "EA has not been pressured by any groups to include LGBT characters in our games. However, we have met with LBGT groups and sponsored industry forums to discuss content and harassment of players in online forums. In short, we do put options for same-sex relationships in our games; we don't tolerate hate speech on our forums."

http://games.ign.com/articles/122/1222404p1.html

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What are your views on same sex marriage/relationships in video games?

Subject: Re: Most Gamers Cool with Same-Sex Themes Wed 16 May 2012, 2:41 am

I see no problem with it at all.

"Oh muh gawd Jimmy, little Suzy dun gone and turned into one of them there homosexuals because of video games".

I wish I could say I'm shocked at the intolerance people have, but nothing shocks me anymore when it comes to petty little "issues" like same-sex relationships. If you don't like it, DON'T DO IT. No one is forcing you as an individual to be in a same-sex relationship, so there should be no concern from you.

Subject: Re: Most Gamers Cool with Same-Sex Themes Wed 16 May 2012, 3:05 am

LMFAO poor little Suzy...

I agree it affects no one but you and plus it isn't like the games that offer this force the player to be a gay or lesbian character it just allows the option to be which imo is a good thing.

That whole letter protest thing was fucking ridiculous.. People need to just stfu and get over themselves.

Subject: Re: Most Gamers Cool with Same-Sex Themes Thu 17 May 2012, 4:46 am

Thats what gets me. Although characters in the game might suggest same sex things to you while playing, that happens in real life too, you just deal with it and choose another path.

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